Everyone’s hoping it won’t ever come to that but teaching your kids to be ready in case of a fire hazard can make a huge difference in the outcome.
It goes without saying that fire is not a joke meaning that proper education and practice are a must both for the grownups and for the kids. Getting your kids to take this seriously might be a challenge but it surely is worth an effort, so here’s what your kids should know about fire safety.
Identify the hazards
Bearing in mind the fact that almost half of residential fires start in the kitchen, it’s clear why teaching your kids about using the appliances should be a priority. Installing a smoke alarm is a good idea but it means nothing if you don’t teach your kids about the fire a turned-on stove can make. Next, explain to your kids how electrical cords can ignite a fire while playing with matches and lighters is a big no for them. Real Christmas trees, candles, aerosol cans, and cloth or paper on a lamp can also start a fire so make sure your kids know all about that.
Make a house inspection
To be sure your kids understand what it all means, include them in the house inspection. First, check your house for smoke detectors. Explain to your kids how they work, where they are placed, and why. Besides education, this might be a nifty way to actually run an inspection, maybe change the batteries, and make sure everything is in working order. Also, check your potential fire hazards with your kids. Inspect electrical cords and a fireplace. You can even turn it into an adventure game to make things easier for everyone.
Come up with a plan
Having a fire safety plan is of utmost importance. Get together your household members and agree on what you are going to do in certain situations. For example, what do you if you hear a smoke alarm? Next, make sure every room has two escape ways (in case one of them gets blocked by fire) so no blocked windows, etc. Finally, agree upon a safe meeting place with your family – it’s easy to get lost during a fire so appoint a neighbour’s house or a big tree near your house as a meeting point once you all get out of the house.
Practice makes perfect
It goes without saying that the most perfect plan in the world means nothing if you don’t practice and if you and your kids don’t take it seriously. Fire drills might look silly, but they can be actually fun for the children, so devote some time to them. The same goes for fire extinguishers – having one in the house is one thing, but teaching everyone how to actually use it is whole another. Remember that practice makes perfect and act accordingly.
Before explaining to your kids how to use fire extinguisher or fire blanket, however, make sure that all the equipment is correctly installed and regularly serviced. The equipment offered by trusted suppliers, as the people at Fire Safe ANZ, will make this job much easier.
Show them the procedures
Teaching your kids basic responses to certain aspects of a fire can literally be a lifesaver so make sure they know what a fire looks likes and what should they do if it occurs in your home. Tell them not to hide somewhere but to go out immediately. The best way to escape a burning house is to get to the ground and crawl so practice that with your kids. Also, tell them what to do if they clothes get caught on fire – stop, drop, and roll can be practiced as a little dance. Finally, teach them emergency numbers and make sure they memorize them.
Fire safety is not a joke so dedicating some time to explain it to your kids can never be a loss of time. On the contrary, it’s one of the best ways to keep them safe and entertained at the same time so get ready for important conversations, training sessions, and fun fire drills.
Author BIO
If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of green living/home improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out LinkedIn.